APA Hotel Osaka Higobashi Ekimae

APA Hotel (Higobashi Ekimae) has a perfect location—just steps from the train station, konbini, and our favorite ramen spot. Check-in was warm and welcoming, and we even received free luggage stickers while waiting. The room is small and a bit tight for two, especially with a taller partner, but it had all the essentials. Amenities were refreshed daily, including towels, slippers, toothbrush, razors, PJs, etc. I loved the bed with built-in controls for lights and alarm, and the TV provided useful hotel and city info. Overall, great value for the location—even with the compact space, it suited our needs since we were out exploring most of the time.

Staff spoke excellent english and were always enthusiastic to help out when needed. The rooms were nice and tidy and make excellent use of the very limited space inside. Using a smart TV to display hotel information was new for me, and was quite useful and well layed out. Mandatory room cleanings every three days is a nice gesture too, and the cleaners did a fantastic job of cleaning the rooms. The location is 11/10, the Higobashi station entry/exit 3 leads right to the front of the hotel, no exaggeration. The hotel is situated nicely between Umeda and Namba making it convenient and being so close to Tosahori river was great. Outside noise was no issue on the 6th floor.

Clean room with many amenities. Breakfast was fantastic with a large variety of food such as salads, pastries, sausages, eggs, cereal, miso soups, dessert cakes, juices, tea, coffee and so on. Onsen (public bath) available for hotel guests at certain hours. Location is great. Can be quiet at night but there is a mini mart/ seven eleven opposite which is open 24 hours and when you walk out of the hotel doors the subway station is in front of you so very convenient for travelling around the area and city.

I liked the onsen/communal shower area with hot spa, the cleanliness the amount of towels and literally a new yukata given to you everyday. Hung on your door when you come back from your daily travels. You pay a little bit more for this hotel and it is worth the extra 20-30 AUD per night.

Location. Right next to the metro and I mean you come out and the door to the hotel is right there. I did not see a close elevator though. I believe this may have been at the other side of the street. Several flights of stairs for those with heavy or large luggage to go up and down but it’s doable. Some restaurants near by. Several across the river. Staff were friendly. Check-in was busy as everyone checked in at the same time (3pm). It’s electronic and self checking but the system is odd and not sure if it’s helpful or inefficient. Baggage drop off was in the lobby open area not in a separate room and is done electronically. Business hotel so the rooms are small but comfortable for one or two persons (had a twin room). The room and facilities were clean. Each room has its own WiFi and worked well. Breakfast was ok it had a little something for everyone I’d say. Pretty basic. Onsen does not allow tattoos. Desk offers two free body stickers to cover them up. My tattoos are decent sized but not overly large and they did not cover them completely. A little larger than the size of a passport probably. Side note: you’ll get fresh towels and yukata each morning in a bag regardless. Place your used towels and yukata in the bag and hang it outside your door for pickup.